1handicap

Definition of HANDICAP for Kids

: a disadvantage that makes progress or success difficult <Shyness is a handicap for a salesman.>

2

: a contest in which someone more skilled is given a disadvantage and someone less skilled is given an advantage

3

: the disadvantage or advantage given in a contest

Word History of HANDICAP

Handicap, probably short for “hand in cap,” was originally a sort of game in which two people would try to trade things of unequal value. A third person would be appointed as umpire to set an extra amount that would even out the value of the items. Some money would then be put in a cap, and the traders would signal agreement or disagreement with the bargain by putting their hands in the cap and taking them out full or empty. Later, horse races were arranged by such rules, with the umpire deciding how much extra weight the better horse should carry. The word handicap was eventually extended to other contests, and also came to mean the advantage or disadvantage given to a contestant.